Current:Home > NewsLightning strikes in Greece start fires, kill cattle amid dangerous heat wave -AssetTrainer
Lightning strikes in Greece start fires, kill cattle amid dangerous heat wave
View
Date:2025-04-14 12:02:07
Lightning strikes in northern Greece killed cattle and started fires during a dayslong heat wave affecting most of southern Europe.
Several fires were reported near the city of Kozani, 280 miles north of Athens following a dry thunderstorm in the area, authorities said Saturday.
Further north, near the Greek town of Florina, officials from a public agricultural insurance organization said lightning strikes killed nine cows at a cattle farm. Several other animals were injured.
Cattle farm owner Alexandros Tsikos told The Associated Press that he found the animals dead in a grazing area next to the cattle barn.
Temperatures eased slightly Saturday but remained as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the country, while the risk of wildfires was very high outside Athens and in much of southern Greece.
It's not the first time dangerous heat has impacted the Mediterranean nation this summer. Three tourists visiting Greece died amid extreme temperatures and heat waves in June, CBS News previously reported, including an American man from New York.
Temperatures peaked at around 109 degrees, prompting closures of schools, historical sites and more. Meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos told Greek state television channel ERT that it's the earliest such heat wave.
"This heat wave will go down in history. In the 20th century, we never had a heat wave before 19 June. We have had several in the 21st century, but none before 15 June," Giannopoulos said.
Extreme heat has been a crisis worldwide. More than 1,300 people making the pilgrimage to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia died as temperatures in the Middle Eastern country reached over 120 degrees. In India, temperatures were consistently above 110 degrees, and at least 100 heat-related deaths have been recorded, CBS News previously reported. Similar conditions were reported across Asia. Like in Greece, the high temperatures came earlier than they typically do. The temperatures were also exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Across the United States, heat waves have roasted the nation this summer, causing transit issues, illnesses and more. Las Vegas saw temperatures of over 115 degrees for nearly a week straight in July, and much of the Southwest has experienced dangerously high temperatures. California's famous Death Valley reached 129 degrees.
- In:
- Weather Forecast
- Greece
- Fire
- Heat Wave
veryGood! (1125)
Related
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Former 'Survivor' player, Louisiana headmaster convicted of taping students' mouths shut
- In the Heart of Wall Street, Rights of Nature Activists Put the Fossil Fuel Era on Trial
- What to watch: George Clooney, Brad Pitt's howl of fame
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Child care or rent? In these cities, child care is now the greater expense
- Martha Stewart Shares the Cooking Hack Chefs Have Been Gatekeeping for Years
- Anthropologie’s Extra 50% off Sale Includes Stylish Dresses, Tops & More – Starting at $9, Save Up to 71%
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Machine Gun Kelly talks 1 year of sobriety: 'I can forgive myself'
Ranking
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Miami Dolphins to start Tyler Huntley at quarterback against Titans
- Cowboys find much-needed 'joy' in win over Giants after gut check of two losses
- Teen wrestler mourned after sudden death at practice in Massachusetts
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Abortion-rights groups are courting Latino voters in Arizona and Florida
- Maggie Smith Dead at 89: Downton Abbey Costars and More Pay Tribute
- Sharpton and Central Park Five members get out the vote in battleground Pennsylvania
Recommendation
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
King Charles III mourns Maggie Smith after legendary British actress dies at 89
Blood-spatter analysis helped investigation into husband charged with killing wife and another man
Helene wreaking havoc across Southeast; 33 dead; 4.5M in the dark: Live updates
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
What time is Alycia Baumgardner vs. Delfine Persoon fight? Walk-in time for main event
A rare condor hatched and raised by foster parents in captivity will soon get to live wild
Michael Kors’ Secret Sale on Sale Is Here—Score an Extra 20% off Designer Handbags & More Luxury Finds